Project Objective

The aim of the Thinking Systems Navigation project is to integrate disciplinary approaches from neuroscience, robotics and information science.

Introduction

The deep mysteries of how the brain navigates in physical and conceptual space are studied by a diverse range of disciplines and have potential applications from health to the development of new technologies.

Navigation is a fundamental ability for movement through both physical and conceptual worlds. Taken for granted until something goes wrong, physical navigation is essential not just for animals (from insects to mammals), but also for autonomous robots. Just as places are organised using physical maps, so concepts are organised using concept maps.

Conceptual navigation enables humans to make sense of the complex world of ideas – possibly using neural circuits evolved for physical navigation.